Rockies Eyeing Justin Duchscherer, Miguel Batista

It's just one line at the end of Troy E. Renck's Denver Post column, but here's a few fresh Rockies targets: righties Justin Duchscherer and Miguel Batista. Renck says the Rockies are "trolling for pitching depth of all types" given the uncertainty with free agents Rafael Betancourt, Jose Contreras, and Joe Beimel.

Duchscherer is also known to be on the radar of the Pirates and Red Sox after missing the '09 season with hip and elbow surgeries and clinical depression. We learned what Batista is up to in yesterday's Geoff Baker article for the Seattle Times. Batista said he's heard from a few contending clubs.

Also of note: MLB.com's Thomas Harding talked to Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd, who indicated there's a slight chance the Rockies reach an agreement with Garrett Atkins in advance of the December 12th non-tender deadline. Maybe the Rockies could release Atkins and then re-sign him without the restriction of the 80% rule?